Kate Rusby (Barnsley Folk Festival)
Tickets £40. Under 16s £28.
People who need to be accompanied by a registered carer or a Personal Assistant, do get a complimentary ticket. Please called 01226 327000 to book these tickets.
Headlining and opening our 2026 Barnsley Folk Festival is none other than Barnsley’s very own Kate Rusby; widely regarded as one of the most captivating voices in British folk music. As her Spring tour draws to a close, Kate will perform this rare hometown concert in the intimate setting of Barnsley Civic’s theatre with an exclusive set-list for a three-piece, which will include her husband and producer Damien O’Kane.
Kate’s tender, pure, and unmistakably Yorkshire tones have enchanted audiences worldwide for over three decades. Her live performances are a unique blend of intimacy and joy — filled with laughter, stories, and songs that feel like home.
Kate Rusby started performing in local folk clubs as a child, following in the footsteps of her parents, Steve and Ann; then made a name for herself performing in groups The Poozies, Equation and singing alongside fellow Barnsley folk artist fellow Barnsley artist Kathryn Roberts. In 1997, she released her debut album Hourglass and the rest is history.
Named as one of the Top Ten Folk Voices of the Century, a Mercury Prize Winner, 6-times BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner and a warm, Yorkshire sense of humour to boot, Kate has achieved an unprecedented cross-over appeal.
Kate will be supported by Barnsley indie-folk duo Eletto. Born this millennium yet timeless in spirit, Eletto began when Mila and Zoe met aged 13 in choir after Zoe moved from Cyprus to Barnsley. Since they began writing together in 2020 and sharing on TikTok, they have evolved into a folk-country duo. Both self-taught musicians, Eletto are inspired by female greats, Emmy-Lou Harris, Dolly Parton, and Swedish duo First Aid Kit.
***
2026 marks 40 years since the first Barnsley Folk Festival. Kate shares her memories;
40 years WOW!
40 years ago I was inspired to be an actual singer, I was 12. In the old Barnsley Civic, Barnsley Folk Festival, there I was in the dark sat beside my dad, who was sound engineer for that concert. I was captivated by Barnsley’s own Dave Burland.
I remember the moment, thinking to myself, how lovely and amazing that would be to sing to people like that, tell stories, make people laugh, move people to tears, all through music. I had been brought up with folk music of course, but also listened to anything and everything I could get my hands on via the incredible Barnsley Library music department, I had learnt to play fiddle and chords on the guitar, worked out chords on the piano, but that was “the moment”.
Here we are all these years later, 34 years in the music industry, lucky enough to tour the world (always told the audiences how brilliant Barnsley is) but always it remains…. Barnsley in my blood, Barnsley in my brain, born to be an advocate of all things Barnsley, now a very proud Freeman Of The Borough…… all due to music and that moment.
I cannot wait to take to the Barnsley Civic stage myself 40 years after that "light bulb moment". Full circle complete.
You never know, there may be another 12 year old in the audience at the new Barnsley Folk Festival who may be inspired! Such a fabulous weekend of music planned, come along, bring your kids too, you never know what will happen!!
Thank you Dave Burland. Thank you to my folks who brought me along to the gig.
Kate Rusby
Freeman Of The Borough Of Barnsley.
